TOKYO — China, Japan and South Korea warmed their chilly relations Wednesday, brought together by a common goal: ending North Korea’s nuclear program. “It was extremely significant that Japan, China and South Korea reaffirmed the importance of their co-operation ahead of a U.S.-North Korea meeting,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said, praising the outcome of the summit. Abe said the three discussed how they can get North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, but he didn’t provide any details. Analysts say Japan wants to showcase improved ties and co-operation with China and South Korea so its views will be represented in any negotiations with North Korea. Abe reiterated Japan’s position that it would normalize ties with North Korea only if the latter took concrete steps toward abandoning its nuclear and missile programs and resolved the issue of Japanese abducted by North Korean agents.

Source: National Post May 09, 2018 00:26 UTC